Dhaka, March 20 -- The government has been urged to reduce import duties on raw materials for manufacturing construction materials in the upcoming budget for fiscal year 2025-26 to facilitate the sector's growth for the sake of the country's economy.

The steel makers have sought to lower customs duty on imported scrap metals from Tk 1500 to Tk 500 per tonne while cement producers requested for lowering the duty on clinker to Tk 200 per tonne.

They put forward the pleas at a pre-budget meeting organised by the National Board of Revenue (NBR) at its office in the city's Agargaon area on Wednesday, presided over by NBR Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan.

Representatives of different sectors, including construction materials, telecom, tobacco, pha...